Method for managing returns
First Claim
1. A method for remanufacturing cores into remanufactured items, comprising the steps of:
- providing a total price for the remanufactured items, the total price including at least a refundable core deposit and a remanufactured item price, the core deposit being paid with the total price to secure return of cores for remanufacture;
having a plurality of remanufacturer liabilities associated with different deposits paid to secure return of cores at the time of sale of remanufactured items;
storing, in a memory device, data reflecting an earlier core liability and a later core liability, the earlier core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of earlier-sold one of the remanufactured items, the later core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of a later-sold one of the remanufactured items;
receiving a core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item;
inspecting the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item;
determining an amount of credit available for returning the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item, the amount being based upon the inspection;
updating the data stored on the memory device by applying the credit for the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item against the earlier core liability, irrespective of the core deposit for the later-sold remanufactured item having been paid after the sale of the earlier-sold remanufactured item;
establishing an entitlement in the amount of each deposit paid to secure return of a core and having a date identifier; and
canceling the entitlement after return of core where the entitlement is the oldest available entitlement associated with the returned core;
where the step of selecting the liability is based upon an association of the liability and the entitlement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There are many situations where returns are needed to further business or other objectives. For example, in remanufacturing businesses, cores are rebuilt into remanufactured parts that are sold. To sustain remanufacturing, cores must be obtained. One way to assure a supply is to collect a deposit against a core return when a remanufactured part is sold. Tracking of cores and the associated liabilities for the deposits is complex. It is also beneficial to control the liabilities. Provided are systems, methods and steps that enable tracking and other effective management techniques to assure returns and liabilities are managed. In one embodiment, each core and an associated entitlement representative of a liability are tracked. Price changes can be made on core deposits without affecting the ability to control liabilities. The systems, processes and methods lend themselves to computer implementation and use in large businesses.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for remanufacturing cores into remanufactured items, comprising the steps of:
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providing a total price for the remanufactured items, the total price including at least a refundable core deposit and a remanufactured item price, the core deposit being paid with the total price to secure return of cores for remanufacture; having a plurality of remanufacturer liabilities associated with different deposits paid to secure return of cores at the time of sale of remanufactured items; storing, in a memory device, data reflecting an earlier core liability and a later core liability, the earlier core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of earlier-sold one of the remanufactured items, the later core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of a later-sold one of the remanufactured items; receiving a core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item; inspecting the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item; determining an amount of credit available for returning the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item, the amount being based upon the inspection; updating the data stored on the memory device by applying the credit for the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item against the earlier core liability, irrespective of the core deposit for the later-sold remanufactured item having been paid after the sale of the earlier-sold remanufactured item; establishing an entitlement in the amount of each deposit paid to secure return of a core and having a date identifier; and canceling the entitlement after return of core where the entitlement is the oldest available entitlement associated with the returned core; where the step of selecting the liability is based upon an association of the liability and the entitlement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computer-readable memory device comprising instructions for causing a computer to implement steps in a method for remanufacturing cores into remanufactured items, the method comprising:
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storing data reflecting an earlier core liability and a later core liability, the earlier core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of an earlier-sold one of the remanufactured items, the later core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of a later-sold one of the remanufactured items; receiving an indication that a core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item has been received; updating the data by applying the credit for the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item against the earlier core liability, irrespective of the core deposit for the later-sold remanufactured item having been paid after the sale of the earlier-sold remanufactured item, wherein the core deposit for the earlier-sold remanufactured item and the core deposit for the later-sold remanufactured item are a refundable part of a total price for the remanufactured items paid to secure return of cores for remanufacture; storing data reflecting an earlier entitlement corresponding to the earlier core liability having an amount equal to the core deposit paid with the total price of the earlier-sold core; and canceling the earlier entitlement after return of the core associated with the later-sold remanufactured item. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer configured to implement steps in a method for remanufacturing cores into remanufactured items, the computer comprising:
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means for storing data reflecting an earlier core liability and a later core liability, the earlier core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of an earlier-sold one of the remanufactured items, the later core liability corresponding to a core deposit paid upon sale of a later-sold one of the remanufactured items; means for receiving an indication that a core associated with the sale of the later sold remanufactured item has been received; and means for updating the data by applying the credit for the core associated with the sale of the later-sold remanufactured item against the earlier core liability, irrespective of the core deposit for the later-sold remanufactured item having been paid after the sale of the earlier-sold remanufactured item; and a processor for implementing at least the means for updating the data, wherein the core deposit for the earlier-sold remanufactured item and the core deposit for the later-sold remanufactured item are a refundable part of a total price for the remanufactured items paid to secure return of cores for remanufacture. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification